AFTER ten years of hard work to ensure the future of Weymouth Hockey Club, players finally took to the brand-new AstroTurf at Redlands.

Thanks to fundraising, donations and support from Dorset Council the National Hockey Foundation and Sport England, Weymouth tested out their brightly-coloured, newly re-carpeted surface with a number of games.

Before that, the club held its junior presentation at the new pitch. Sixty youngsters with their families attended for garden games and cricket, a barbecue and cakes plus finishing with some fun hockey matches.

The club wishes to say a big thank you to all the parents who attended and helped on the night in a variety of ways and also to local businesses The Oasis Café, DEP and Copper Street Brewery who donated raffle prizes.

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Awards were presented by chairperson, Alice Craven, who has been the driving force behind securing the funding for the new pitch.

During the awards presentation, coach Emily Austin congratulated the under-ten girls team for being runners-up in the Dorset tournament and hence qualifying for the West Regional tournament in Bristol.

Weymouth’s goalkeepers were also congratulated on the role they played over the season – Sydnee Wilson for the under-ten girls, Leah Johnston for the under-12 girls and Frank Turner for the under-12 boys.

Award winners – most improved under-ten girls: Poppy Russell; Runners-up: Amelia Oike & Emme Stow; Under-ten boys winner: Austin Bell; Runner-up: Harry Smith; Under-12 girls winner: Saskia Dart; Runner-up: Martha Backwell; Under-12 boys winner: Harry Underhay; Runner-up: Ted Russell; Under-14 girls winner: Ava Hines; Runner-up: Hannah Gould; U14 boys winner: Oli Clark; Runner-up: James Saunders.

Players of the year – Under-ten girls winner: Poppy Strainge; Runner-up: Isla Makin; Under-ten boys winner: Tobie Van Egdom; Under-12 girls winner: Mia van Egdom; Runner-up: Shannon Coughlan; Under-12 boys winner: Alfie Ellis; Runner-up: William Austin; Under-14 girls winner: Holly Holdcroft; Runner-up: Amelia Monteith; Under-14 boys winner: Mikey Parsons; Runner-up: Thomas Edwards.

After the presentations, the first official match on the new pitch saw a great turnout of ladies over-35 players against Swanage. The first goals on the new pitch were scored by Julia May, Ellen Sandrey and Linda Drewitt. The Famous Old Spa provided teas.

Elsewhere, Weymouth Hockey Club are offering six free, fun and friendly ‘BACK2HOCKEY’ sessions, starting on Monday, June 13 at 7.15pm.

This will be very much a social group for players over 16 who would like to learn to play hockey or would like return to playing hockey after however long a break, one year to 40 years. All players welcome.